Braves Report

[Image: Yahoo! Sports]

This is getting painful, both watching the games, and writing these recaps. I really don’t have any other ways to express my disappointment with this team. I realize it isn’t all their fault. Injuries have played a roll, as has a poor pitching coach. But, this is just getting ridiculous.

Hampton is showing he can still pitch. Pitching around the league is so thin, he just might find a job next year (hopefully not in Atlanta). Last night, he went six solid innings, giving up eight hits. Of course, a few of the hits were of the seeing eye variety. Along the way he gave up only three runs, coming out with the lead. Unfortunately, again, the pen could not hold the lead. Bennett came in for the 7th, couldn’t finish the inning, started walking people, and was charged with the tying run. Ohman blew a save allowing Hampton’s run to cross. Tavarez (somehow) was solid, going 1.1 innings of one hit ball. Nunez pitched the 9th, well part of the 9th. He only got one out before giving up the losing run.

Braves managed nine hits, but left eight on base. Two hitters were outstanding. First Escobar, he had three hits, including a home run and a double, scored twice and drove in one. McCann was also on fire, also with three hits, one for a double, with two RBI.

Braves lose (and lose and lose) 4 - 5.

Today’s loss, I mean game, 8:15 PM.

[Image: Yahoo! Sports]

And it happens again. We are going to have to totally reinvent this team if we want to have any success next year, what we have now just isn’t working. We need at least one new outfielder, a whole new pen, and a starter or two.

Jurrjens got roughed up pretty good. Of course, the defense didn’t help him much. He gave up six runs, of course, only four of them were earned… It should have been even less, thanks to some home town scoring. The pen was solid tonight, of course, it didn’t matter, since we were losing. Carlyle went 1.2 innings only allowing a walk. Ohman pitched .1 inning, perfectly. Boyer ended the game with a perfect inning.

Pelfrey pretty much owned the bats tonight. We only managed three hits, two of them by Blanco. Blanco, Escobar and Frenchy each drove in a run.

Braves lose 3 - 6.

Once again the starter gives us a good outing, once again the pen lets us down (is this starting to sound like a broken record?). I really hope something is done to address this problem (along with the hitting, and the pitching coach, and the injuries)… We thought we had, but the injuries just crushed our pen.

Reyes struggled a little early on, but after he was given the lead he started to deal. In the end, he went six innings, giving up only four hits, but three walks. In the most important stat, he only gave up two runs. Then began the pen’s self destruction. First Bennett, he did give us 1.1 innings, but they weren’t quality. One hit, two walks and three runs later he was pulled. Ohman wasn’t too good, either. He failed to get a single batter out, allowing two runs. It did get better, Tavarez didn’t get a batter out, but also didn’t allow a run to cross. Gonzo had to end the madness, which he did.

The bats didn’t do too bad today, the top and heart of the order especially. Escobar had two hits, including a triple and scored. Chipper also had two hits, an RBI and a run. Infante was also in on the hit parade with two, as did Prado.

Brave lose 3 - 7.

Today’s game, 7:10 PM.

Luckily [?], I had to miss most of this game to stain a fence. The good news is the fence looks great and it was such a pleasant evening tonight. The bad news is that it wasn’t such a pleasant day for the Braves. For whatever reason, this team consistently gets beaten up by the seemingly inferior Giants. Tim Lincecum put the hurt on Atlanta, again, and recorded his 13th win of the season.

Charlie Morton faced him, and unfortunately, earned the loss, because he had a pretty solid outing. The Hunterdon County native has been a bit inconsistent in his past few starts, but today, he proved to be more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde. 6 innings pitched (111 pitches, 69 strikes), 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. That’s a pretty decent line, but he simply didn’t receive enough run support.

[Pictured: Not actually Charlie Morton]

Tavarez relieved him and went 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2. Our Buddy in the bullpen threw the 9th, he walked two batters, but didn’t allow any to score.

As has been the case in so many games this year, the offense simply didn’t get it done.

[Image: Yahoo! Sports]

Blanco: Not getting it done

They struck out 12 times and recorded a paltry 4 hits. Leading this offensive charge was Mark Kotsay, who singled in the team’s only run. Escobar had a double, and Chipper and KJ each had a single. The team tried their late-inning comeback, but that failed, as it usually does. Weak.

Although, to be honest, this game could’ve been worse. The Braves could’ve been perfect game’d by a Little Leaguer named Jesus Sauceda, who struck out every batter he faced, went three for three, hit a grand slam, and got 6 RBIs. Oh, wait, that’s on schedule for tomorrow.

Braves lose in the manner how I hope this series won’t turn out, 3 - 1.

Tomorrow’s game, at 4:30 PM EST, not nationally televised.

When it rains, it pours. That seems to be how this season has been going for the Braves. Either they beat the shit out of the other team, or they get their heads kicked in. Fortunately, Saturday night’s game against the Giants was the former, and it allowed them to snap their 5 game losing streak.

Mike Hampton got the nod, and how fun has it been to watch him pitch? I never really know what to expect, but either way, I can expect it to be good. Hampton did have his good stuff, and provided a decent outings for the Braves. He went 6 innings, gave up 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and stuck out 4. Not too bad, not too bad at all. My favorite shouldn’t be in the bullpen pitcher, Buddy Carlyle, pitched the 6th and his only blemish was a hit. Matt DeSalvo, who was called up from Richmond after Glavine was placed on the DL, pitched the 8th, and let up 3 hits and a run. Nunez started the 9th, and for whatever reason just didn’t have it. He only recorded an out, but allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks. Bennett had to relieve him, threw one pitch, and induced the game-ending double play. Nice.

As I said, when it rains, it pours. The offense that didn’t do anything the night before just laid it on the Giants’ rookie pitcher, who was making his Major League debut. Francoeur probably had his best game of the year, going 4 for 5 and doubling and singling in a pair of runs. Keep it up, Jeff, please.

[Image: Yahoo! Sports]

These runs amounted to the first lead the Braves have had in nearly a week. From there, they kept on going. Omar Infante, who I’m now convinced simply cannot be stopped, doubled in a run and had two RBIs on the day. Gotay came off the bench to pinch-hit and doubled in a run. Norton hit a long home run to left field. McCann and Escobar had two hits each, and Blanco had one. Hell, even Mike Hampton, power hitter, singled in a run. Kelly Johnson did, too, and Chipper had an RBI of his own. Truly an offensive pounding. Good.

Braves take game two, 11 - 5.